The aim of this blog is to critically appraise Nigerian Social Institutions,
whilst professing innovative and creative ways of improved service provision
within available resources but most importantly within safe ethical
guidelines of social work during intervention, counselling and
rehabilitation.
Constructive feedback is encouraged - Happy reading!

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

It was
another successful day as the LASGAT team sensitized the community members of
Kosofe Local Government on domestic violence, prevention and early warning
signs. Correct information about family support Police Stations, centres and
organizations providing support and counselling were disseminated.

Some
of those in attendance were the Iya Oja of Anthony Village – Chief Alhaja BB
Balogun; a two time Counsellor of the Kosofe Local government who represented
the Chairman; indigenous women and men from the Yoruba, Fulani, Hausa and Ibo
ethnic groups and young persons.

Interpreters
were engaged, as many of those in attendance did not understand English.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

“We would not have successfully sensitized Lagosians about
Domestic Violence if we have not engaged market Women.” Vweta Chadwick, Global
Programme Director, ASHA Initiative.

The Chairperson of
the Lagos State Gender Advocacy Team (LASGAT) Dr Keziah Awoshika and the State
Coordinator Barr Titilope Akosa led Gender Activists to the Office of the
Iyaloja General (the leader of all market women in Lagos) today, to seek her
support in sensitizing market women across the state on domestic and gender
based violence.

Chief Tinubu-Ojo received the LASGAT team and pledged her
commitment to provide any assistance and support required to get this very
important message across.

The visit culminated in the presentation of the Domestic and
Sexual Violence Response Directory, Campaign stickers and other IEC materials
to the Iyaloja.

Lagos State no doubt has proved through its people centred laws and projects, that it has the wellbeing of the most vulnerable people among us, namely: women, girls, persons with disabilities at heart. Many of whom suffer gender based violence in the hands of their caregivers. However, there is room for more.

In a press statement issued by the Lagos State Coordinator of LASGAT, Barr. Titilope Akosa, at a media briefing to officially kick start the week, she commended the state government for enacting the Domestic Violence Law in 2007. Continuing, she stated that this law does not fully criminalize domestic violence in absolute terms.

She encouraged all to not loose sight of the significance of this week as it coincides with the celebration of the International Day of the Girl Child with the theme “Ending the Circle of Violence against the Girl Child.

Barr Akosa called on the state to protect the rights of citizens to life and bodily integrity and to ensure that their rights are not violated by stepping up action to strengthen the enforcement of domestic violence law with the following recommendations:

Adopting and passing into law the sexual offences bill which is currently before the National Assembly;

Gathering data to enable the quantification of the economic and non-economic cost of domestic violence in the state to enable budgetary allocation needed to fight the scourge;

Giving legal backing to the week of action against domestic violence as an annual event to be celebrated throughout Lagos.

In her closing remarks, she called on the Nigerian government to ensure the safe return of the Chibok Girls as soon as possible.

This program is organized by the Lagos State Gender Advocacy Team (LASGAT) with support from DFID/SAVI, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), Office of the Attorney General of Lagos State, Office of the Public Defender, SOS Children Village, Save the Children, Centre for 21st Century Issues, ASHA Initiative and many others.You can follow this event online via Facebook, and by following the #AADV, #LASGAT.

Monday, December 23, 2013

"The problem with our system of formal education is that very
little consideration if any is given at all to out of school teenage
girls. Technology makes it possible for education to come to them – no
matter where they are, at a farm, in their shops, in their backyards or
while nursing their new born.

Social media can be a neutral player when used correctly, out
of school teenage girls can get information and learn in an inclusive
environment where they are not labeled or made fun of, or dropping out
or bullied into conformity."

The Carrington Youth Fellowship Initiative, an initiative of the U.S Consulate in Lagos, Nigeria, fondly called CYFI is now accepting applications from youths currently based in Lagos, for the 2014 fellowship class.

This fellowship provides funding, mentorship and networking for inovative Nigerian youths passionate about bringing about change in their communities.

About The Author

Vweta Chadwick graduated with Distinction in the Diploma in Social Work program from the University of Benin in 2009.She has however dedicated much of her career to working voluntarily with individuals and non-governmental organizations since 2007 in areas of Conflict Resolution, Illegal Migration and Human Trafficking, Teenage Pregnancy, HIV information Campaigns and Women Empowerment. With strong passion for social policy reforms and for supporting vulnerable people, Vweta has had the privilege of Counselling and sign posting her clients to the most relevant and appropriate agencies. Within this platform, she hopes to share some of her experiences and practice wisdom.